ENFIELD – About 50 local business leaders and town staff met Wednesday morning for the second annual Thompsonville Partners event, held to recognize businesses in Thompsonville.

Assistant town manager of development services Courtney Hendricson said, "2014 was a shining year for Enfield," noting that Lego and MassMutual completed expansion renovations, that Advance Auto Parts moved to Enfield and created several hundred jobs and Chick-fil-A opened, and that other businesses, like Hannoush Jewelers moved in order to expand.

"There is still room to grow," Hendricson said. "And Thompsonville is still a focus … it needs the most help, and there is a targeted effort that continues in Thompsonville."

In 2014, the town moved their community and farmers market and Earth Day event to Fresh Water Pond, and created a new end-of-season celebration, Fall-O-Ween, for different businesses to open booths, Hendricson said.

Physical upgrades, including signage, banners, clearly-indicated bus stops, benches and three water fountains were added around the village, Hendricson said. Last year, the town increased the number of community garden beds.

Hendricson said staff is working to prepare 33 North River St., once a casket furnishing factory, into a transit center hub for commuter rail as well as work to renovate the Strand Theater.

"We have the momentum and we're going to keep it going," Hendricson said.

Following Hendricson's update, deputy mayor Bill Lee recognized the following individuals for their contributions to Thompsonville:

Diana Macari of Diana's Bakery on Pearl Street received the legacy award; Frank Troiana Jr., a third generation owner of the family's heating oil business and owns several lots in Thompsonville received the visionary award; Jason MacLelland who owns the Corner Store, Pearl Street Barber Shop and moved into and renovated his home on South Street received the residential restoration award; Sergio Molina of Molina's Café on High Street received the rising star award; Sasha Skerla of the Old Country Deli on Alden Avenue, nearing their 100th birthday, received the commercial restoration award and Mindy Semmler of Bigelow Commons received the community pillar award.

This story has been corrected since publication. An earlier version indicated that Advance Auto Parts created 700 jobs.